In Summary
- Business boom ss Homa Bay County hosts Madaraka Day on Sunday.
- The Government spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura stated that, local businesses, from hotels to food kiosks, are thriving as visitors arrive.
- Dr. Mwaura revealed that, the choice of Homa Bay, with its proximity to Lake Victoria, is deliberate and symbolic, as it reflects Kenyans resolve to harness the vast opportunities within lakes, rivers and coastal waters to drive sustainable economic growth, create jobs and improve livelihoods, particularly for lakeside communities.
The Madaraka Day celebrations are sparking an economic surge in Homa Bay County.
Addressing journalists on the eve of Madaraka Day at Tom Mboya University in Homa Bay County on Saturday, the Government spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura stated that, local businesses, from hotels to food kiosks, are thriving as visitors arrive.
“Esther Owino, a local hotelier, reports a 50% increase in bookings, creating jobs for youth in her establishment. The Homa Bay Modern Fish Market, launched by H.E the President Dr. William Samoei Ruto, will provide a hygienic trading space, benefiting traders like John Omolo, who expects higher sales,” Dr. Mwaura said.
He noted that, the refurbished Homa Bay Pier and improved roads will further promote water-based tourism, such as boat tours to Rusinga Island, creating opportunities for local guides and boosting the county’s appeal as a tourist destination.
Capacity Building and Global Part
Dr.Mwaura explained that, the newly commissioned 12,000-seater Raila Odinga Stadium which will host the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations on Sunday is a testament to the transformative power of devolution and the government’s commitment to equitable development across Kenya.
“As we stand on the cusp of the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations, it is with great pride and anticipation that we gather in Homa Bay County, a region poised to make history by hosting this significant national event for the first time at the newly commissioned Raila Odinga Stadium,” Mwaura asserted
He highlighted that the even will be showcasing the transformative potential of Kenyas aquatic resources to uplift lives, create jobs, and drive economic prosperity under the theme “Harnessing Kenya’s Blue Economy for Sustainable Growth”
More Than A Celebration
He said, this year’s Madaraka Day, held in the heart of the Nyanza region, is more than a celebration.
” It is a testament to the Kenya Kwanza administration’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which places the Blue economy and Maritime affairs at the heart of sustainable development, unlocking the untapped potential of the Blue economy and Maritime affairs,” The Government spokesperson said.
He also revealed that, the choice of Homa Bay, with its proximity to Lake Victoria, is deliberate and symbolic, as it reflects Kenyans resolve to harness the vast opportunities within lakes, rivers and coastal waters to drive sustainable economic growth, create jobs and improve livelihoods, particularly for lakeside communities.
Infrastructure For Prosperity
The Raila Odinga Stadium, constructed at a cost of Kes. 500 million, features modern terraces, a natural turf, and floodlights, serving as a hub for sports and community events.
According to the Government, over 35 kilometers of roads, including the Homa Bay Pier–Stadium Road and access to the County Government Headquarters in Arujo, have been rehabilitated or built, thus improving connectivity for fishers, traders, and tourists.
Dr.Mwaura Further stated that, the upgraded Kabunde Airstrip, with a 70% complete runway extension, will soon accommodate larger aircraft, boosting tourism and trade.
“These developments mean that local entrepreneurs like Susan Atieno, a fish trader, can now transport her goods faster and access broader markets, increasing her income and supporting her family,” Dr. Mwaura added.
Empowering Fishers and Communities
The Government spokesperson also highlighted the significance of Lake Victoria to Homa Bay residents, as the government embarks on prioritizing sustainable fisheries to enhance livelihoods.
“The development of fish landing sites, such as Wakula, Mainuga, and Nyadhiwa in Homa Bay County, at a costof Kes. 1.5 billion, is underway, with architectural designs completed and contracts soon to be awarded. These modern facilities will include cold storage and processing units, reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring better prices for fishers like Peter Ochieng, who previously lost significant portions of his catch due to inadequate storage,” Mwaura highlighted.
Additionally, Kes. 3.2 billion in grants has been awarded to 1,260 Common Interest Groups (CIGs) across five coastal counties, with similar support planned for Lake Victoria’s Beach Management Units (BMUs), now transitioning into cooperatives to access affordable loans.
Dr.Mwaura noted that, This empowers fishers to invest in better boats and gear, securing sustainable incomes.
Consequently, Mwaura stated that, the government’s push for aquaculture is transforming Homa Bay into a hub of innovation.
Through the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP), supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), 12,429 geomembrane pond liners and 105,722 bags of fish feed have been distributed to small-scale farmers in Homa Bay and 14 other counties, boosting production.
“For instance, Jane Akoth, a smallholder farmer in Homa Bay, has doubled her fish yield using these liners, enabling her to pay school fees for her children. The ongoing development of the Kabonyo Fisheries and Aquaculture Service and Training Center of Excellence (KFASTCE), funded at Kes. 1.3 billion by the Government of Hungary, is 17.5% complete and will train youth like Michael Otieno in modern aquaculture techniques, fostering entrepreneurship and job creation,” Dr.Mwaura concluded.
